Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. Credit: Google

On the same day that Gov. Phil Murphy relaxed lockdown restrictions on casinos, indoor dining and large gatherings, the New Jersey Judiciary moved to its next phase of resuming court functions and allowing staff to return.

On Monday, Phase 2 of the Judiciary's Post-Pandemic Plan, which allows for 10% to 15% of judges and staff to return to court facilities and certain matters that cannot proceed remotely to be conducted onsite, kicked in.

The percentage is up from 5% in Phase 1, which began March 18.

Other than judges and staff, only attorneys and those members of the public who have scheduled court matters or appointments are permitted in the buildings during Phase 2, according to a release Monday from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, the main architect of the courts' post-pandemic plan.

Those who have scheduled court matters or an appointment must wear a mask in the building and must maintain six feet of distance from others wherever possible, Rabner said.

Those who are sick or believe they have the COVID-19 virus should not enter any court facilities, while members of the public seeking court services should contact the court by phone or email without entering the building.

Self-represented litigants can continue to receive services remotely by contacting the ombudsman's office in their vicinage, according to the same release.

Since March 16 the judiciary has conducted several thousand court hearings, settlement proceedings and detention hearings, arraignments and municipal appeals, among other events, remotely because of COVID-19. The "Post-Pandemic Plan – Transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2," was announced June 10 as a blueprint on returning to New Jersey courts. It was released concurrently with an order from the court requiring the use of "face masks or other face coverings" in courtrooms and common areas.

Phase 2 is generally described in the plan as: "Gradual and Limited Return," following Phase 1, which ran from March 18 to June 21 and allowed less than 5% of judges and staff onsite, while buildings remain closed to attorneys and the public.

"Phase 3: New Operations" covers ongoing remote operations, with a gradual increase of onsite events, and eventually including new jury trials; and allowing 50% to 75% of judges and staff onsite (with staggered schedules).

"Phase 4: Ongoing Model" will begin once a vaccine is available and/or herd immunity is established, according to the plan. In this period, up to 75% to 80% of judges and staff will be allowed onsite.

Meanwhile, as COVID-19′s infection rate continues to decline, Murphy announced that Atlantic City's nine casinos will be allowed to open July 2 at 25% capacity after being shuttered since mid-March in time for what is traditionally one of the busiest weekends at the Shore, the Fourth of July weekend.

The 25% capacity rule also applies to restaurants, which can begin to offer indoor dining on the same date, according to the governor.

Murphy also increased indoor and outdoor gathering capacity limits.

Effective immediately, indoor gatherings are now limited to 25% capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons, according to a release from the Governor's Office on Monday.

Outdoor gatherings are now limited to 250 persons, and outdoor religious services and political activities will continue to have no numerical limits.

"While we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commonsense public health measures that New Jerseyans have been complying with are now allowing for us to expand capacity limits," Murphy said in a statement. "We will continue to evaluate and make reopening decisions based on data, science and facts."

The state's racetracks can also start taking bets July 2.

The announcements came on the same day that the state's pools, hair salons, barbers and other personal grooming facilities got the green light to open.

As of Monday, the novel coronavirus had claimed 12, 895 lives in New Jersey, while the caseload was now at 169,415 positive cases.